Make Your Hearing Health a Priority with a Comprehensive Hearing Assessment

Make Your Hearing Health a Priority with a Comprehensive Hearing Assessment

The gradual onset of hearing loss makes it nearly impossible to notice day-to-day changes. While your hearing loss continues to go undetected and untreated, the damage to your hearing continues and additional negative mental and physical health conditions begin to show up.

The gradual onset of hearing loss makes it nearly impossible to notice day-to-day changes. While your hearing loss continues to go undetected and untreated, the damage to your hearing continues and additional negative mental and physical health conditions begin to show up.

More than identifying a hearing challenge, a hearing test should be the first step toward finding solutions to improve your overall health and quality of life. Sadly, most people don’t recognize hearing health as a priority and rarely include a hearing test in their health screening regimen.


Since hearing loss is the third most common physical health condition in America and impacts approximately 1 in 8 individuals worldwide, hearing test hesitancy is a major concern. The WHO predicts that the number of hearing loss cases will double over the next 30 years, making regular hearing assessments a critical part of monitoring your health.


There are a number of reasons why scheduling regular hearing tests is not a priority for most people, and most of them are the result of misconceptions about hearing loss and the value of early detection and treatment.

More than identifying a hearing challenge, a hearing test should be the first step toward finding solutions to improve your overall health and quality of life. Sadly, most people don’t recognize hearing health as a priority and rarely include a hearing test in their health screening regimen.


Since hearing loss is the third most common physical health condition in America and impacts approximately 1 in 8 individuals worldwide, hearing test hesitancy is a major concern. The WHO predicts that the number of hearing loss cases will double over the next 30 years, making regular hearing assessments a critical part of monitoring your health.


There are a number of reasons why scheduling regular hearing tests is not a priority for most people, and most of them are the result of misconceptions about hearing loss and the value of early detection and treatment.

Request a callback

Request a callback

A small office space featuring a desk with a computer, an open door, and a soundproof booth in the corner.
A small office space featuring a desk with a computer, an open door, and a soundproof booth in the corner.
A small office space featuring a desk with a computer, an open door, and a soundproof booth in the corner.

6 Myths and Misconceptions of Hearing Loss and Hearing Tests

6 Myths and Misconceptions of Hearing Loss and Hearing Tests

#1 - “My hearing loss doesn’t harm anybody."

Hearing loss harms you the most, because leaving it untreated can severely impact your life. Unaddressed hearing loss puts you at a higher risk of developing mental health issues like depression, anxiety and isolation as well as contributing to physical health problems such as balance issues and cognitive decline. In addition to damaging your health, your greater dependence on others to make up for your hearing deficiency and your decreased capacity to communicate clearly strains your relationships with family, friends and coworkers, which can cause a great deal of harm to all involved.

#1 - “My hearing loss doesn’t harm anybody."

Hearing loss harms you the most, because leaving it untreated can severely impact your life. Unaddressed hearing loss puts you at a higher risk of developing mental health issues like depression, anxiety and isolation as well as contributing to physical health problems such as balance issues and cognitive decline. In addition to damaging your health, your greater dependence on others to make up for your hearing deficiency and your decreased capacity to communicate clearly strains your relationships with family, friends and coworkers, which can cause a great deal of harm to all involved.

#1 - “My hearing loss doesn’t harm anybody."

Hearing loss harms you the most, because leaving it untreated can severely impact your life. Unaddressed hearing loss puts you at a higher risk of developing mental health issues like depression, anxiety and isolation as well as contributing to physical health problems such as balance issues and cognitive decline. In addition to damaging your health, your greater dependence on others to make up for your hearing deficiency and your decreased capacity to communicate clearly strains your relationships with family, friends and coworkers, which can cause a great deal of harm to all involved.

#2 - “If I was losing my hearing, I’d be the first to know."

#2 - “If I was losing my hearing, I’d be the first to know."

#2 - “If I was losing my hearing, I’d be the first to know."

#3 - “I’ll just turn up the volume if I can’t hear something."

#3 - “I’ll just turn up the volume if I can’t hear something."

#3 - “I’ll just turn up the volume if I can’t hear something."

#4 - “Only old people have hearing problems."

#4 - “Only old people have hearing problems."

#4 - “Only old people have hearing problems."

#5 - “A hearing test won’t tell me anything to fix my hearing."

#5 - “A hearing test won’t tell me anything to fix my hearing."

#5 - “A hearing test won’t tell me anything to fix my hearing."

#6 - “Hearing tests are complicated and painful."

#6 - “Hearing tests are complicated and painful."

#6 - “Hearing tests are complicated and painful."

The 4 Steps of Your Hearing

Assessment

Step 1

Step 1

An Initial Conversation About You
An Initial Conversation About You

Besides having a genuine interest in getting to know your, our initial conversation will address any concerns or questions you might have about hearing loss. We’ll discuss any early signs you are experiencing, like difficulty communicating with others, a ringing sound in your ears, a feeling of stuffiness or fullness in your ears, problems with your balance and other issues.


In addition, your audiologist will ask some questions about your medical history, the history of hearing loss in your family, medications you are taking, work and social activities you frequently engage in. Answers to our questions not only help pin-point the severity and cause of your hearing challenges, but also help us develop an appropriate plan to optimize your hearing.

Besides having a genuine interest in getting to know your, our initial conversation will address any concerns or questions you might have about hearing loss. We’ll discuss any early signs you are experiencing, like difficulty communicating with others, a ringing sound in your ears, a feeling of stuffiness or fullness in your ears, problems with your balance and other issues.


In addition, your audiologist will ask some questions about your medical history, the history of hearing loss in your family, medications you are taking, work and social activities you frequently engage in. Answers to our questions not only help pin-point the severity and cause of your hearing challenges, but also help us develop an appropriate plan to optimize your hearing.

Two women sit across from each other at a table, engaged in conversation with a city skyline behind them.
Two women sit across from each other at a table, engaged in conversation with a city skyline behind them.
Two women sit across from each other at a table, engaged in conversation with a city skyline behind them.
A doctor leans in closely to a smiling patient in a clinic setting, both looking relaxed and engaged in conversation.
A doctor leans in closely to a smiling patient in a clinic setting, both looking relaxed and engaged in conversation.
A doctor leans in closely to a smiling patient in a clinic setting, both looking relaxed and engaged in conversation.

Step 2

Step 2

A Physical Examination of Your Ears
A Physical Examination of Your Ears

Before moving on to any of the tests we perform, your audiologist will physically exam your ears, looking for damage to the structures of the ear or blockages in the ear canal.


Some of our patients with hearing challenges discover that their condition is caused by inflammation from an infection, a growth in the ear canal, a bug, earwax or a bit of fluff, all of which are easy to correct.

Before moving on to any of the tests we perform, your audiologist will physically exam your ears, looking for damage to the structures of the ear or blockages in the ear canal.


Some of our patients with hearing challenges discover that their condition is caused by inflammation from an infection, a growth in the ear canal, a bug, earwax or a bit of fluff, all of which are easy to correct.

Step 3

Step 3

Hearing Tests
Hearing Tests

Typical hearing tests include tru-tone and speech threshold tests. For these tests you will be seated in a soundproof booth and fitted with a set of earphones. Your audiologist will conduct a variety of tests using tones or spoken words at different frequencies and volume levels to help establish what you can and cannot hear.


A bone conduction test, which uses a different type of headset designed to bypass the conductive structures of the hearing pathway to test the responsiveness of the inner ear. This test allows us to determine whether your hearing loss is conductive or sensorinueral. A tympanometry test measures how the structures of the middle ear and the eardrum respond to sound. Results from this test will identify hearing loss associated with damage to these structural components.


In some severe cases, your audiologist may use additional tests in order to further pinpoint the source and severity of your hearing loss.

Typical hearing tests include tru-tone and speech threshold tests. For these tests you will be seated in a soundproof booth and fitted with a set of earphones. Your audiologist will conduct a variety of tests using tones or spoken words at different frequencies and volume levels to help establish what you can and cannot hear.


A bone conduction test, which uses a different type of headset designed to bypass the conductive structures of the hearing pathway to test the responsiveness of the inner ear. This test allows us to determine whether your hearing loss is conductive or sensorinueral. A tympanometry test measures how the structures of the middle ear and the eardrum respond to sound. Results from this test will identify hearing loss associated with damage to these structural components.


In some severe cases, your audiologist may use additional tests in order to further pinpoint the source and severity of your hearing loss.

A close-up of a person's ear with a finger gently touching the area near a hearing aid.
A close-up of a person's ear with a finger gently touching the area near a hearing aid.
A close-up of a person's ear with a finger gently touching the area near a hearing aid.
Four people, two men and two women, are gathered around a book, engaging in a friendly discussion.
Four people, two men and two women, are gathered around a book, engaging in a friendly discussion.
Four people, two men and two women, are gathered around a book, engaging in a friendly discussion.

Step 4

Step 4

Reviewing of Your Test Results
Reviewing of Your Test Results

Besides having a genuine interest in getting to know your, our initial conversation will address any concerns or questions you might have about hearing loss. We’ll discuss any early signs you are experiencing, like difficulty communicating with others, a ringing sound in your ears, a feeling of stuffiness or fullness in your ears, problems with your balance and other issues.


In addition, your audiologist will ask some questions about your medical history, the history of hearing loss in your family, medications you are taking, work and social activities you frequently engage in. Answers to our questions not only help pin-point the severity and cause of your hearing challenges, but also help us develop an appropriate treatment plan that meets all of your needs.

Besides having a genuine interest in getting to know your, our initial conversation will address any concerns or questions you might have about hearing loss. We’ll discuss any early signs you are experiencing, like difficulty communicating with others, a ringing sound in your ears, a feeling of stuffiness or fullness in your ears, problems with your balance and other issues.


In addition, your audiologist will ask some questions about your medical history, the history of hearing loss in your family, medications you are taking, work and social activities you frequently engage in. Answers to our questions not only help pin-point the severity and cause of your hearing challenges, but also help us develop an appropriate treatment plan that meets all of your needs.

Scheduling a Hearing Assessment
Is Critical

So much damage to your hearing, your mental and physical health as well as relationships can be done when hearing loss is left untreated.

Identifying the type and severity of hearing loss in order to customize a plan of treatment or preventive measures makes a hearing assessment a critical element in your overall health and quality of life.

To ensure your hearing health, or that of a loved one, don’t continue to put off having a hearing test. Take the first step on the journey to better hearing by scheduling a hearing assessment.

Trusted by Thousands of Local People

  • Dr. Megan Hill has been so helpful with my struggle to find hearing aids that work for me. She's very patient and takes time to explore all options. The support staff are always so welcoming and helpful too.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Sally Porter

    Google Reviews

  • I was SHOCKED. Such an amazing place and such an amazing group of people and service. I will be a lifeline promoter and supporter of Highline Audiology.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Andy Kipling

    Google Reviews

  • If you want someone to take your needs seriously and do everything they can to help, look no further. Jennifer and Ali went out of their way to help my husband with exceptional customer service and professionalism.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Inga Fredrickson

    Google Reviews

  • This isn’t the first time we’ve had a good experience with this office. Several years ago my mother was having trouble getting her hearing aid replaced/repaired at her audiologist and they loaned us a pocket talker to help her out as well.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Teresa Reinholz

    Google Reviews

  • Very kind, patient, & informative staff. I never felt pressured by their staff to buy hearing aids from them in particular. They planned out appointments in a way that felt very supportive.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Melinda Bourgette

    Google Reviews

Trusted by Thousands of Local People

  • Dr. Megan Hill has been so helpful with my struggle to find hearing aids that work for me. She's very patient and takes time to explore all options. The support staff are always so welcoming and helpful too.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Sally Porter

    Google Reviews

  • I was SHOCKED. Such an amazing place and such an amazing group of people and service. I will be a lifeline promoter and supporter of Highline Audiology.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Andy Kipling

    Google Reviews

  • If you want someone to take your needs seriously and do everything they can to help, look no further. Jennifer and Ali went out of their way to help my husband with exceptional customer service and professionalism.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Inga Fredrickson

    Google Reviews

  • This isn’t the first time we’ve had a good experience with this office. Several years ago my mother was having trouble getting her hearing aid replaced/repaired at her audiologist and they loaned us a pocket talker to help her out as well.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Teresa Reinholz

    Google Reviews

  • Very kind, patient, & informative staff. I never felt pressured by their staff to buy hearing aids from them in particular. They planned out appointments in a way that felt very supportive.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Melinda Bourgette

    Google Reviews

Trusted by Thousands of Local People

  • Dr. Megan Hill has been so helpful with my struggle to find hearing aids that work for me. She's very patient and takes time to explore all options. The support staff are always so welcoming and helpful too.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Sally Porter

    Google Reviews

  • I was SHOCKED. Such an amazing place and such an amazing group of people and service. I will be a lifeline promoter and supporter of Highline Audiology.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Andy Kipling

    Google Reviews

  • If you want someone to take your needs seriously and do everything they can to help, look no further. Jennifer and Ali went out of their way to help my husband with exceptional customer service and professionalism.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Inga Fredrickson

    Google Reviews

  • This isn’t the first time we’ve had a good experience with this office. Several years ago my mother was having trouble getting her hearing aid replaced/repaired at her audiologist and they loaned us a pocket talker to help her out as well.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Teresa Reinholz

    Google Reviews

  • Very kind, patient, & informative staff. I never felt pressured by their staff to buy hearing aids from them in particular. They planned out appointments in a way that felt very supportive.

    Colorful Google logo featuring a blue "G" with red, yellow, and green accents on a transparent background.
    Melinda Bourgette

    Google Reviews

Our Experts Answer Your Questions

Discover the symptoms, causes, and optimization options for age-related hearing loss with the help of Highline Hearing. 

When you think of hearing aids, chances are that your first image isn’t a pretty one: bulky, awkward devices in off-white or pale pink shades that buzzed distractingly behind your parent’s or grandparent’s ears, constantly needing fiddling with and adjusting.

Did you know that over 44 million American adults deal with some level of hearing loss challenge?…

Our Experts Answer Your Questions

Discover the symptoms, causes, and optimization options for age-related hearing loss with the help of Highline Hearing. 

When you think of hearing aids, chances are that your first image isn’t a pretty one: bulky, awkward devices in off-white or pale pink shades that buzzed distractingly behind your parent’s or grandparent’s ears, constantly needing fiddling with and adjusting.

Our Experts Answer Your Questions

Discover the symptoms, causes, and optimization options for age-related hearing loss with the help of Highline Hearing. 

Request A Callback

If you are concerned about your or a loved one’s hearing, it can be confusing to understand what to do with so many myths and misconceptions circulating.

Simply complete this form, and we’ll call you back to answer any questions that you may have and can offer guidance on whatever your hearing-related problem may be!

Remember, there’s no such thing as a silly question!

Exterior view of a modern commercial building with parking spaces and a blue car in front.

Request A Callback

If you are concerned about your or a loved one’s hearing, it can be confusing to understand what to do with so many myths and misconceptions circulating.

Simply complete this form, and we’ll call you back to answer any questions that you may have and can offer guidance on whatever your hearing-related problem may be!

Remember, there’s no such thing as a silly question!

(206) 246-8677

457 SW 148th St Ste 101
Burien, Washington 98166